Improvement in modes of bunching lumber for running through v-shaped flumes



N. P. GHIPMAN. Mode of Bunching Lumber for Running Through V-shaped Plumes.

- No. 201,330. Patented March 19,1878.

WITNESEEE- j INVENTUR 7W? WW ZW haw UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NORTON P. CHIPMAN, OF RED BLUFF, CALIFORNIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN MODES 0F BUNCHING LUMBER FOR RUNNING THROUGH V-SHAPED FLUMES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 201,330, dated March 19, 1878; application filed August 24, 1877.

To all whom it may concern: j Be it known that I, NoRToN P. CHIPMAN, of Red Bluff, in the county of Tehama and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Mode of Bunching Lumber for Running Througha V- Shaped Flume; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to a new method of bundling and running lumber through a V-shaped flume; and it consists in building a floating foundation, and building upon it with other boards wider and wider, adjusting the structure generally to the dimensions of the fiume-opening until I get above the top of the fiiune, where each succeeding board overlaps the flume, the object being to run wide lumber, and to avoid damage to the lumber.

Also, the invention consists in a clamping device of a peculiar construction, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

Figure l is a perspective view, showing my new method of bundling lumber. Fig. 2 is a side view of the clamp.

Heretofore lumbermen have only been able to run through the flumes lumber not more than eighteen inches wide, and even that width of material causes the lumber to be damaged by battering against the sidcs of the flumes. This reduces the value of flume-run lumber, and also the narrow widths make it less valuable in market.

To run wide lumber, which is the main object of my invention, I commence the foundation with a board about sixteen inches wide, and build upon it by other boards wider and wider, following flume opening, until I get above the top of the flume, as shown in the drawing, whereby a V-shaped raft is formed.

By this method of bimdling I can put on lumber projecting over the tops of the flume, and run lumber about forty inches wide. The water will pass freely along the sides and edges of the boards and under the bottom board, and thus keep the raft in position and buoyedup. Across the front and rear ends of each raft is placed a clamp, as will be hereinafter set forth, to secure the boards firmly together.

The letter A designates the clamping. device, consisting, essentially, of the vertical bar Band horizontal arms 0 and D. The barv B is made of metal, and is provided with the arms, bent at right angles, or nearly so, as shown in the drawings. The lower arm D is.

provided at its inner end with an upturned point, a, for the purpose hereinafter mentioned.

The upper arm 0 of the clamp has a screw threaded eye, 01, or its equivalent, to receive the adjusting-screw E.

In some cases the bar B may be made of Wood, and the horizontal arms adjusted thereto by means of sockets and set-screws, or other well-known fastening devices, and the lower arm of the clamp may be provided with a notched edge, like a saw-blade. The letter G represents the V-shapedilume.

The clamps are applied to each end of the V-shaped raft or pile of lumber, as shown in Fig. 1, the lower arm passing under the lowest or foundation board, and the point of the arm driven into the said board to obtain a fastening, and the upper arm passing over the wide top board, and the adjusting-screw driven home, thus securing the lumber firmly together for shipment through a V-shaped flume.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. The method of running wide lumber through a V-shaped flume, which method consists in building the lumber in the shape of a V-raft, then securing the ends by means of clamps, and passing the same through the watered V-shaped flume, as described.

2. A clamping device, substantially as described, consisting of a bar, B, upper arm 0,

lower arm D, and adjustingscrew E, for the 

